New Grass

New Grass is a 1968 album by jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler released on Impulse! Records.[1]

This article is about Albert Ayler's 1968 jazz album. For the Talk Talk song, see Laughing Stock (album).

New Grass
Studio album by Albert Ayler
Released	1968
Recorded	September 5–6, 1968
Genre	Jazz
Length	33:09
Label	Impulse! MCA (reissue)
Producer	Bob Thiele
Albert Ayler chronology
Love Cry (1967) New Grass (1968) Music Is the Healing Force of the Universe (1969)

The album mixed Ayler's vocals and tenor saxplaying with elements from R&B and other genres, including a soul horn section, backing singers, and rock electric bass.[2]

The album was remastered and re-released by Third Man Records in 2020.[2]

Reception

It met a hostile reception from fans and critics alike on its release, with many accusing Ayler of "selling out". All Music Guide's Al Campbell nevertheless calls the album "misunderstood", speculating that Impulse had encouraged Ayler to go in a more commercial direction, and he had willingly acquiesced.[1] However, according to Gary Giddins, "In interviews, Ayler left no doubt about who was responsible for New Grass: 'They told me to do this. Bob Thiele. You think I would do that? He said, "Look Albert, you gotta get with the young generation now."'"[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic [1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]
Pitchfork	[2]

Track listing

1. "Message From Albert/New Grass" (Albert Ayler, Bert de Coteaux) – 3:53
2. "New Generation" (Ayler, Rose Marie McCoy, Mary Maria Parks – 5:06
3. "Sun Watcher" (Ayler, Robin Syler) – 7:29
4. "New Ghosts" (Ayler, Parks) – 4:10
5. "Heart Love" (Ayler, Parks) – 5:32
6. "Everybody's Movin'" (Ayler, McCoy, Parks) – 3:43
7. "Free At Last" (Ayler, McCoy, Parks) – 3:08

Personnel

Performance

• Albert Ayler – recitation, tenor saxophone, vocals, whistling
• Garnett Brown – trombone
• Call Cobbs – electric harpsichord, harp, organ, piano
• Burt Collins – trumpet
• Bill Folwell – bass, electric bass
• Buddy Lucas – bass, baritone saxophone
• Rose Marie McCoy – vocals
• Joe Newman – trumpet
• Seldon Powell – flute, tenor sax
• Bernard "Pretty" Purdie – drums
• Soul Singers – vocals

Production

Bert de Coteaux – arranger, conductor Ken Druker – executive producer Henry Epstein – cover design, liner design Byron Goto – cover design Bob Irwin – reissue mastering Gary Kellgren – engineer Hollis King – reissue art director Bryan Koniarz – reissue producer

Elliott Landy – cover photo, photography Shigeo Miyamoto – mastering engineer Mary Maria Parks – composer Jayme Pieruzzi – reissue mastering Robin Syler – composer John F. Szwed – liner notes Bob Thiele – engineer, producer

References

1. Campbell, Al. "New Grass - Albert Ayler". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
2. Thomas, Fred (June 30, 2020). "Albert Ayler - New Grass". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
3. Giddins, Gary (2008). Natural Selection: Gary Giddins on Comedy, Film, Music, and Books. Oxford University Press. p. 286.
4. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 7. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.